ALMOST half of women believe they are not at risk of a cancer-causing, sexually transmitted infection if they are in a long-term relationship, a poll has found.
The incidence of cervical cancer in Scotland has gone up by almost 20% over the last decade.
But new research by YouGov found around 45% of women think being in a monogamous couple prevents them from contracting HPV, the main cause of the disease.
And nearly 40% believe the do not need to attend for cervical screening if they have had the HPV jag.
Meanwhile, more than a quarter of women said they would be embarrassed if they were diagnosed with HPV, despite the fact that, in the UK, HPV is present in one in three people. The virus is almost as common as the cold virus and it is thought that 90% of individuals will come into contact with some form of it in their lifetime.
Despite the cancer risk, most HPV infections clear up without treatment and are symptom-free.
However, YouGov found many did not know that the use of condoms does not completely eradicate the risk of contracting HPV and almost 15% said they had no idea how HPV is transmitted.
Vicki Bokor-Ingram of Roche Diagnostics, which commissioned the research, said: “The results of this survey are shocking and show why we need to come together with other healthcare professionals to help tackle some of these dangerous HPV myths, reduce the stigma attached to this common virus and highlight just how important cervical screening is.
“With HPV screening being rolled out in early 2020 in Scotland, we have a real opportunity to eradicate cervical cancer. The screening technology has the potential to save hundreds of lives a year – but it is only going to be effective if women take up their screening invitations.”
Robert Music, head of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “With the cervical screening programme moving to testing for HPV first, more women will be told they have the virus.
“It is worrying to see so many myths and so much stigma regarding HPV as this may just increase fear and uncertainty at an already
anxious time.”
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